Military History Preservation Group MHPG

09/02/2026

On this date: September 2, 1945- "Aboard the Missouri, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur signed the Instrument of Surrender for the United Nations, and Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz signed for the United States. Halsey, MacArthur and Nimitz were five-star officers.

Japanese representatives signed the official Instrument of Surrender, prepared by the War Department and approved by President Truman.

The ceremony itself was brief, lasting 30 minutes. A Navy chaplain gave an invocation, and a recording of the national anthem was played. The event also included singing and featured hundreds of American carrier- and land-based airplanes flying over the Missouri as the sun broke through the clouds."

Photos and text:
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/VJ-Day/

08/21/2026

Last week, the MHPG had the opportunity to run the Mess at D-Day Conneaut, building a WWII camp kitchen modelled after those in England in 1944. Reenactors represented U.S. soldiers and WACs and German Prisoners of War, cooking out of WWII Field Stoves and a WWII German Field Kitchen.

Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly as Mess Crew, including junior high and high school students. Together, they cooked almost 1,900 meals a day for all three days of the event, following recipes from the U.S. Army's 1944 cookbook and traditional German recipes.

The crew
- baked over 900 biscuits
- cooked 900 meatballs
- made 20 gallons of homemade pasta sauce
- cooked 140 pounds of meatloaf
- cracked 2,400 eggs
- cooked 150 pounds of green beans
- baked over 21 loaves of bread
- made 20 gallons of Creamed Beef (SOS)
- chopped 80 pounds of onions
- cooked 53 gallons of cabbage and noodles
- cooked 53 gallons of German rice and sausage stew
- cooked 53 gallons of German pea soup
- and more!

Thank you to the entire crew, to D-Day Conneaut for this amazing opportunity, and to Amherst VFW 1662 for their generous donation!

Photos: Elizabeth Fought

08/03/2026

Thank you to The Furious Fourth WWII Living History Association for coming to the event and for encouraging people to visit Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park!


Radio Association of Western New York

08/02/2026

More photos by Dennis Stepanov, from Mess Call! Thank you to Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Radio Association of Western New York, and all the reenactors from across the United States and Canada for bringing WWII history to life two weeks ago on the USS The Sullivans and the USS Little Rock!

08/02/2026

More photos from Mess Call! Thank you to Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Radio Association of Western New York, and all the reenactors from across the United States and Canada for bringing WWII history to life. We all look forward to the next event!

Photos: Dennis Stepanov

07/21/2026

More photos from Mess Call! Reenactors came from across the United States and Canada to bring WWII history to life, while honoring the Sullivan brothers and those who served aboard the USS The Sullivans and USS Little Rock.

Thank you to Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park for this opportunity and to Radio Association of Western New York for being part of the event again!

Thank you to Dr. John Long for his service during WWII and for taking the time to meet with everyone and share his inspirational message.

And thank you to everyone who attended and to all reenactors from across the United States and Canada who volunteered their time to share history and give a glimpse into the life and food of sailors during World War II!

We look forward to next year's Mess Call!

Photos: Elizabeth Fought

07/20/2026

More photos from Mess Call! this past weekend, with many more to be posted! Thank you to Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Radio Association of Western New York, and all the reenactors from across the United States and Canada for bringing history to life!

Photos: Elizabeth Fought

07/19/2026

Thank you to Radio Association of Western New York for being part of Mess Call again this year at Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park !

07/19/2026

What an honor to thank Dr. John B. Long for his service and bring WWII history to life at Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park! Thank you to all the reenactors that came from as far as California for Mess Call!

And thank you Radio Association of Western New York for being part of the event again!

Step aboard historic Navy ships and experience what life was really like during World War II.